About Great Rivers Rendezvous
Come join us for a FUN, recreational paddle on the Mississippi River for the Great Rivers Rendezvous on Saturday, September 21st organized by the Mississippi River Water Trail Association (MRWTA).
Choose from THREE launch points depending on the distance you would like to paddle- 3 miles starting from Alta Villa, 7 miles starting from Piasa Harbor, and 12 miles starting from Hideaway Harbor. Participants on all routes will be accompanied by trained safety boaters from paddling organizations associated with the Missouri Paddling Coalition (MOPADCO).
Participants will finish at the 18th Annual Mississippi Earthtones Festival at Alton Riverfront Park, brought to you by Alton Main Street, The Sierra Club, and Jacoby Arts Center. The Mississippi Earthtones Festival is a celebration of our river through art, music, and conservation. At this free & family-friendly event, we will feature 70+ educational booths, live music, interactive art experiences and performances, as well as great local food & beverages
Plan Your Paddle
We have 3 different launch points for you to choose from. If you are in need of a boat and would like to rent one, Alpine Shop in St. Louis and Mississippi River Water Trail boats are available by contacting grr@MississippiRiverWaterTrail.org. Also rent boats from Paddle Stop at info@paddlestop.com
12 Miles: Hideaway Harbor
USING OUR SHUTTLE: Drop your boat and gear off with us from 6:30am to 7:00am. Drive to Alton Riverfront Park to park and ride our shuttle bus back to the launch. Shuttle bus departs at 8:15am.
NOT USING SHUTTLE: Be at the launch site and ready to paddle at 9:00am for our Safety Briefing, paddlers will launch at 9:30am
7 Miles: Piasa Harbor
USING OUR SHUTTLE: Drop your boat and gear off with us from 8:00 to 9:00. Drive to Alton Riverfront Park to park and ride our shuttle bus back to the launch. Shuttle bus departs at 9:00am and 9:45am.
NOT USING SHUTTLE: Be at the launch site and ready to paddle at 10:30am for our Safety Briefing, paddlers will launch at 11:00am.
3 Miles: Alta Villa
DUE TO THE LACK OF PARKING SPACE AT ALTA VILLA LAUNCH LOCATION, ALL 3-MILE PADDLERS MUST RIDE THE SHUTTLE.
Drop your boat and gear off with us from 9:00am to 10:00am. Drive to Alton Riverfront Park to park and ride our shuttle bus back to the launch. Shuttle bus departs at 10:45. Safety briefing at 11:30am, paddlers will launch at 12:00pm
Finish / Take Out
Paddlers will take out at the City of Alton public boat access at the Alton Marina near Riverfront Park.
After the paddle join the festivities at the Mississippi Earthtones Festival where you can find live music, food and drink, and arts and activity booths!
Plan Your Day
Lodging/Camping
Pere Marquette State Park Lodge https://pmlodge.net/
Pere Marquette State Park Tent Camping https://dnr.illinois.gov/parks/camp/park.peremarquette.html
Riverside Landing RV: https://www.sccmo.org/1982/Riverside-Landing
St. Charles County Parks: https://www.sccmo.org/1956/Camping
Alton, IL Hotels: https://www.kayak.com/Alton-Hotels.23842.hotel.ksp
Downtown St. Louis, MO Hotels: https://www.hotels.com/nh942/hotels-in-downtown-st-louis-st-louis-missouri/
For members of the Missouri Paddling Coalition who plan to attend the Saturday evening meeting, please contact grr@mississippiriverwatertrail.org to reserve camping.
Mississippi Earthtones Festival
All participants will finish at Alton Riverfront Park, at the Mississippi Earthtones Festival which is brought to you by Alton Main Street, the Sierra Club, and Jacoby Arts Center. This is a celebration of our river through art, music, and conservation. At this free & family-friendly event, we will feature 70+ educational booths, live music, interactive art experiences and performances, as well as great local food & beverages. Learn more at the festival website.
Event Rules & FAQs
Each participant must wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved Type 3 or 5 life preserver (PFD) with whistle when within 10 feet of the water. A PFD must be worn zipped and clipped at all times while on the water. This is per the United States Coast Guard as part of our permit requirements.
ABSOLUTELY NO ALCOHOL, MARIJUANA, OR ILLEGAL DRUG USE WILL BE TOLERATED DURING THE EVENT. Suspected participant impairment will result in immediate removal from the event.
Each watercraft must be a MINIMUM of 12 feet in length and be propelled exclusively by paddle power (double or single blade). Event directors have the sole discretion to approve or disqualify a watercraft for use during the Great Rivers Rendezvous.
All participants in this Event must agree to the “Waiver and Release of Liability”. This waiver is required by the American Canoe Association for participation in this event.
All participants will supply their own water and snacks for use during the event. Water jugs for refills will be available at all put-in and take-out sites.
All participants agree to appear in event related photography and media coverage with no expectation of compensation.
Littering of the river and shoreline is illegal. Participants must keep their trash with them in their canoes/kayaks/SUP and take all waste ashore with them to dispose.
All participants should understand there are serious risks involved in this endeavor.
All participants must yield to larger vessels and be prepared for wakes from large commercial and recreational boats.
All participants must stay away from buoys, wing dikes, floating debris, bridges and any other river obstruction and danger. While on water, participants agree to stay within the group and defer to instructions of the lead, sweep and all other safety boaters.
All participants will enter this event at their own risk and will not hold this event’s organizers, judges, officials, and sponsors liable for accidents to person and/or loss, theft, or damage to any property.
No refunds including in the event of event cancellation due to weather natural or manmade disaster. The Mississippi River Water Trail is a non-profit organization with the mission to get more people to enjoy and appreciate our great river on the water. We are all volunteers and know your funds are going to a good cause to support this incredible resource, the Mighty Mississippi.
No transfers, cancellations, refunds of any kind.
Changes in paddle distance are permitted until Monday, September 16th. Contact grr@mississippiriverwatertrail.org
In formulating the rules that govern this event, every effort has been made to foresee all situations and problems that may arise; however, officials of the Great Rivers Rendezvous retain the right to change or amend these rules at any time without liability or recourse from any party regardless of the circumstances. Should such changes or amendments be made, every effort will be made to notify all entrants.
Infractions of any rule during the event will be grounds for immediate removal from the event. Participants are given access to the above rules during registration and acknowledge that they will be asked to sign a copy of these rules during event check-in.
OUR SPONSORS AND PARTNERS
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